To the editor:

I just heard from the Retired Enlisted Association that the health care bill under consideration in the House of Representatives does, in fact, affect veterans eligible for VA health care and TRICARE-eligible retirees.

An otherwise qualified veteran or military retiree should not be disqualified from receiving tax credits that go toward their health insurance premium, just because their service to our country makes them eligible for VA healthcare or TRICARE.

Please do not force un-enrolled veterans to use VA healthcare at a time when the VA already does not have the capacity to treat its current enrollees.  This would affect approximately 7 million veterans.

Please keep our country’s commitment to those who have committed to defend us and correct this injustice.

Richard Grube

Newport News